Preview — Baho!
by Roland Rugero

Baho!

When Nyamugari, an adolescent mute, attempts to ask a young woman in rural Burundi for directions to an appropriate place to relieve himself, his gestures are mistaken as premeditation for rape. To the young woman's community, his fleeing confirms his guilt, setting off a chain reaction of pursuit, mob justice, and Nyamugari's attempts at explanation. Young Burundian novelWhen Nyamugari, an adolescent mute, attempts to ask a young woman in rural Burundi for directions to an appropriate place to relieve himself, his gestures are mistaken as premeditation for rape. To the young woman's community, his fleeing confirms his guilt, setting off a chain reaction of pursuit, mob justice, and Nyamugari's attempts at explanation. Young Burundian novelist Roland Rugero's second novel Baho!, the first Burundian novel to ever be translated into English, explores the concepts of miscommunication and justice against the backdrop of war-torn Burundi's beautiful green hillsides....more

Community Reviews

15 December 2016: One of World Literature Today's 75 Notable Translations for 2016! Congratulations to Phoneme Media!

My review of BAHO! is live today at Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud. A cautionary fable of war's huge consequences, it takes a single understandable misunderstanding to it logical limit. Wondering how our country nominated Drumpf for President? #WeWillNeverForget how horrible loss, terror, eternal unending stress feels. Phoneme Media and Translator ScRating: 3.5* of five (rounded up)

15 December 2016: One of World Literature Today's 75 Notable Translations for 2016! Congratulations to Phoneme Media!

My review of BAHO! is live today at Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud. A cautionary fable of war's huge consequences, it takes a single understandable misunderstanding to it logical limit. Wondering how our country nominated Drumpf for President? #WeWillNeverForget how horrible loss, terror, eternal unending stress feels. Phoneme Media and Translator Schaefer get my utmost respect.

Loved it. On every level. Wish there were more stars I could give it then just these measly 5.

An outstanding novelette that scathingly criticizes rape culture (and its corresponding misogyny), mob mentality, racism, generation and culture gaps, religion/superstition, and war. And it does it all with an easy-flowing and remarkably beautiful prose. The relevancy of this book is not limited to Burundi, or Africa, or countries still seeking stability and peace. The relevancy of this book is, as ofLoved it. On every level. Wish there were more stars I could give it then just these measly 5.

An outstanding novelette that scathingly criticizes rape culture (and its corresponding misogyny), mob mentality, racism, generation and culture gaps, religion/superstition, and war. And it does it all with an easy-flowing and remarkably beautiful prose. The relevancy of this book is not limited to Burundi, or Africa, or countries still seeking stability and peace. The relevancy of this book is, as of 2016, universal and should be on every required reading list.

The story, ostensibly, is of a young mute shepherd who is falsely accused of attempting to rape a girl in a small village in Burundi. Unable to speak and therefore explain that it was all a simple misunderstanding, he is lynched and condemned to die for the presumed sin. While this is the main narrative the author also gives us welcome (and never drawn out) backstories and side-stories to illustrate the culture and contradiction inherent in the multiple points of view presented.

Rape Culture”That is what the sight of Irakoze’s naval has done—it has stopped everything around him and created a gravitation bubble between that small abdominal hollow and [his] astute gaze” (p35)Throughout the short narrative author Roland Rugero (and with great credit to the book's translator, Christopher Schaefer) offers a simple but brutal indictment on Nyamugari’s accusers. While condemning the heinous act of rape, the townsmen's thoughts largely consist of ogling women and categorizing them into different levels of beauty. They decry rape as an action, but not because it is wrong, not because it is violating a woman's body and her right to sovereignty of self, but instead because it is: "Sull[ies] precious goods acquired with great value over many years (a dowry, a marriage proposal, and long nights to convince the shy girl)...By raping Kigeme, the cursed mute has defiled all the other women in the region, and the men of Kanya consider themselves all affected." (p26). The men feel that the rape of a woman is wrong because it takes away the joy of her future husband to be the first to conquer and overcome her ‘virtue’ first. This disregard for the victim (and total lack of respect for women) is illustrated several times by those sentencing Nyamugari; while many of the locals pity the girl (and others who were not so lucky to have escaped their own ordeals), they do so while condemning young girls for showing their legs or belly-buttons in public. How could any man be expected to resist such temptation!?

Mob Mentality”The movement of a wild beast. Furtive, in a bare savanna. He can reveal himself eventually, but before overtaking his prey, he can never allow his intentions to show.” (p81)The character of Jonathan not-so-subtly illustrates the dangers and flash-fire nature of mob-mentality. And the ease in which a charismatic personality can use this and manipulate the masses. Brilliant, both in its present-day presentation as well as the military backstory, Rugero offers a clear warning to the world of how easily manipulated an angry mob can be.

RacismEmpty space (pp1-90)Translator’s Notes:

While the novel does not address Hutu-Tutsi tensions, its single mention of ethnicity does propose a position of radical ethnic harmony. The old woman shares the wisdom of her years: all lives are to be valued, not just those of one ethnicity. Then, as quickly as the subject of ethnicity is raised, it is dropped and the narrative moves on.-Christopher Schaefer, Translator's Note

I disagree only slightly with Schaefer's assessment here, and not on the radical ethnic harmony presented but instead with the character of the old woman. I do not actually get the impression that she believes all life should be valued. In terms of race, yes, she seems very egalitarian. In terms of youth or progress, not so much. She views them as hedonistic, dishonest, untrustworthy, and the cause of the recent suffering of her people and country. So she’s just as biased as the rest of the world.

Generation Gap, Urban v. Rural, or, the Clash of the Cultural Norms”Far away in those cities that she has traipsed through two or three times in these last two years, men don’t swear by the ordinary any more. That is to say, they cannot be trusted.” (p42)The sins of youth and progress are condemned as the cause of all the suffering in the town (region/country), and the death of the young mute boy accused of rape is supposed to bring order back to the people. There is a palpable mistrust of the new and urban generation and their morals, but it serves (as in real life) to seek to place the blame on some outside force instead of looking inward or at the bigger picture. This is not limited to Burundi villages; this is natural (if unfortunate) human trait that is constantly being exploited the world over.

Christianity”If hung, swaying in the wind at the summit of Kanya’s hill…of all the hills in the region mothers would lift their faces towards Kanya and say to themselves: There our honor was redeemed!…The fig tree at the summit of Kanya would be a living monument to the people’s renewed link with the heavens. Rain would come again.” (p74)The allusions to Christianity are many and are not subtle; they do not need to be subtle, Burundi is a Christian country whose self-identity was fundamentally altered by the Christian missionaries that predate even the vile colonial overlords. I’m not going into detailed analysis on this one, but the author uses his (now totally expected) wit and wisdom in tackling the subject, and imo successfully points out the follies inherent to the superstitious nature of religion.

War (and it’s aftermath)”Everything had returned to normal. Except the hearts of a hundred and nineteen men.” (p89)The long Burundi Civil War (the many of them, actually) has affected every character in this book, in one way or another. It left orphans, widows, and fire in its wake and no one was spared consequence. Perhaps moreso than the youth and urban cultures so deplored by the old, the war is viewed as the both the sin to be punished for and the punishment for even older sins. It is a sad backdrop to place a novel, but it is stunning in its simple condemnation of the suffering the war has caused everyone –obvious and not. ...more

Another inspired pairing of author and translator from Phoneme Books. It’s a 4.5; I’m just trying to keep my ratings within bounds.

This is a many-faceted gem: small and brilliant. It sparkles with embedded stories and proverbs in Kirundi, the Bantu language of Burundi. The vibrant people of the place thrust themselves at the each other and the reader, but the quiet observer and the cagy manipulator of the vigilante crowd are just as memorable.

I admit that the kickoff event of the plot led me toAnother inspired pairing of author and translator from Phoneme Books. It’s a 4.5; I’m just trying to keep my ratings within bounds.

This is a many-faceted gem: small and brilliant. It sparkles with embedded stories and proverbs in Kirundi, the Bantu language of Burundi. The vibrant people of the place thrust themselves at the each other and the reader, but the quiet observer and the cagy manipulator of the vigilante crowd are just as memorable.

I admit that the kickoff event of the plot led me to delay starting this, but it’s very different than you might imagine. The short chapters are each a facet of the story, bringing background light from many angles and voices to the illuminate the young mute accused of rape. He was just trying to ask where he could relieve himself. There is certainly some violence, domestic and military, in some of the background tales, but as the translator Christopher Schaefer notes the story matter is not at all about Hutu-Tutsi differences; it is about the need for unity and considered justice in any nation. There are a lot more things going on as well: love, death, family, the rhythm of rural life, celebration, food, legends, the noise and exchange of daily life, and descriptions of a beautiful, bountiful country that is suffering the dry consequences of a changing climate.

The language is just wonderful. Schaefer has found beautiful ways to bring across the skill of Rugero’s prose. I will include just a couple of examples.

Nkunde kurya yariye igifyera kimumena amatamaThe glutton ate the snail and it made his cheeks explode

With her left eye, the one-eyed woman tries to make out the pack of pursuers.With the other eye, her bad one, she searches her thoughts. Tears escape them both. It is hard work with sweat trickling down. One eye makes out reality, and the other seeks the explanation for its harshness. One sees, and the other deliberates. The old woman’s comprehension in either case is muddled.

[scene in a store in the small town or village, many unattributed voices:]

Bibwirwa benshi bikumva benevyoWhat is said to many is only understood by those concerned

“Give me that squash over there, the cracked one!”“Get a move on it, your shoulders bother me! And what are you doing in my store in the first place, you ridiculous excuse for a black-eyed man? So, you’re not going to get anything?”...“You idiot with your ears plugged shut! Sweet Jesus, what did you say?”“There, look at the ass on that woman! You might even say it was my tender Shishiro, the well-endowed. May God preserve her!”“One rope, and make it a good one.” ...“So, shall we go? I bought a condom! Quick, before my wife comes back from the market! Are you scared? But of what? Me? Well, are you sick, or what? Anyway, you’re not going to heaven with that thing of yours, better enjoy life here on earth! Ready to go?”“Nooooooooooo. I already told you, one kilo of Sosumo sugar.”....“Very early this morning I saw an owl staring at me from the roof of Paul’s place...The owl was black, its eyes full of ill omen!”...

So many voices in this book, but Rugero comes to focus on two of them toward the end. These two voices offer very different viewpoints on the actions that determine the end of this brief episode. An ‘ending’ that is unexpected and provokes many questions about how crowds behave and respond. Timely reading over the next two months here in the US.

This book was interesting and well worth it for the mere fact that it is a Burundian novel translated to English, which according to the book jacket has never happened before. So its novelty factor was a driver behind reading this one in the club. Plus, it's only 90 pages. The 90 pages thing is both a good thing (in that it's not intimidating to read), but also a bad thing because there could have been more character development anPart of my Africa fiction book club.

Probably more like 2.5 stars.

This book was interesting and well worth it for the mere fact that it is a Burundian novel translated to English, which according to the book jacket has never happened before. So its novelty factor was a driver behind reading this one in the club. Plus, it's only 90 pages. The 90 pages thing is both a good thing (in that it's not intimidating to read), but also a bad thing because there could have been more character development and questions answered.

So, I liked that it was in Burundi. I liked the various characters - like the old woman's perspective (though she did not turn out to be as good as I thought she might), and the uncle's secret benevolence, and the main character's choices to be somewhat invisible, and the various ways they all took part in the story. I did not so much like the flowery prose. I'm not a huge literature reader, so flowery prose can often make me lose interest (and made me, in this case, happy the book was only 90 pages), and this being translated from French, which has a strong tendency to be flowery, meant that I knew this going in.

It wasn't my favorite book read in the club, but I enjoyed it well enough and am glad I read it....more

If not for the fact that the first half of the book is not as compellingly written as the second, I think I'd eagerly add another star to my rating. I don't know whether to suggest it's Rugero the author or Schaefer the translator at fault there. At any rate, the second half is brilliant and more than rewards impatience with the first, I assure you.

What's least interesting about Baho!, perhaps, is the perfunctory notification that this is the first Burundian work of fiction available in English.If not for the fact that the first half of the book is not as compellingly written as the second, I think I'd eagerly add another star to my rating. I don't know whether to suggest it's Rugero the author or Schaefer the translator at fault there. At any rate, the second half is brilliant and more than rewards impatience with the first, I assure you.

What's least interesting about Baho!, perhaps, is the perfunctory notification that this is the first Burundian work of fiction available in English. I read this fact twice in the book and heard it from the bookseller who rang up my purchase, as if that alone made it worth reading. Well, no it wouldn't. If it weren't a good book, it wouldn't really matter if it were the first of five hundredth, as far as I'm concerned. I don't ken to the logic that just any book is good enough to read. I think too many readers are under the mistaken impression that the act of reading itself somehow makes you literate. Discernment is the discretion of readers worth rating as literate.

Anyway, so the book itself is well worth celebrating. Although Schaefer takes pains in an afterword to explain its Burundian relevance (outside of the fact that, yes, it is the first work of Burundian fiction available in English), the historical and ethnic context that might not seem apparent in the story, it's a truly universal and timely story, a cautionary tale about the rush to judgment, mob behavior, and basic social instincts both good and bad, regardless of whether or not you would be able to locate Burundi on a map, much less know anything else about it.

It's short but well worth the read, and to recommend, above and beyond its origins. It will also make a fine entry in some future anthology of world literature....more

"Disturbances mark our entire life, whichever what you look at it. The most important thing is to disturb life itself without letting it fall to pieces. Life is the water that flows over the earth, never to be gathered together again..." p. 91.

The story is rife with frustrations and jerking resolutions. The Nyamugari loses language by choice then by doctor's interference. He creates a misunderstanding that is tragic - for himself and the victim. His mob trial pulls out other abusers, egged on by"Disturbances mark our entire life, whichever what you look at it. The most important thing is to disturb life itself without letting it fall to pieces. Life is the water that flows over the earth, never to be gathered together again..." p. 91.

The story is rife with frustrations and jerking resolutions. The Nyamugari loses language by choice then by doctor's interference. He creates a misunderstanding that is tragic - for himself and the victim. His mob trial pulls out other abusers, egged on by the constant persistence of the group's ringleader using a tactic of talking louder and longer than his opponents. This rhetoric rings in our ears as the mute is helpless. The single named witness is a one eyed old woman, who swells with the will of the crowd, ultimately resigned even to the outcome.

But enough about the narrative story. BAHO! jumps off the page. It has a momentum. Where I thought we were going with the story, kept getting interrupted by a lengthy chapter of a folktale and a great dialogue laden marketplace chapter - both relevant to the larger life of the world around the action and the action, itself.

Probably the best aspect of the novel is the disruption the Kirundi phrase introduce. Breaking into the text to remind the reader of the history and power just beyond reach, the historical and political and ethnic backdrop that constantly informs everyday life. Its a true artistic move, inserting these phrases, that deepens the experience of reading the novel.

A bit too short, I wanted to read more about these characters and see where the injustice and frustrations took them....more

Some countries have produced a wealth of literature that has been translated into English. Other countries, not so much. Burundi is in the latter category. Fortunately, Burundian journalist Roland Rugero wrote Baho!, which recently became the first novel from Burundi to be translated into English.

Baho! is the story of Nyamuragi, a young man living in a village in rural Burundi. Nyamuragi has been mute since birth. In his mind, the reason he was mute initially was simply because he did not want tSome countries have produced a wealth of literature that has been translated into English. Other countries, not so much. Burundi is in the latter category. Fortunately, Burundian journalist Roland Rugero wrote Baho!, which recently became the first novel from Burundi to be translated into English.

Baho! is the story of Nyamuragi, a young man living in a village in rural Burundi. Nyamuragi has been mute since birth. In his mind, the reason he was mute initially was simply because he did not want to speak. After his mother took him to a local healer, however, whatever procedure the healer undertook to cure him made it physically impossible for him to speak from that moment forward.

Nyamuragi’s muteness has caused him a certain amount of trouble over the years, but nothing like the trouble in which he finds himself when he is out walking and has an urgent need to go to the bathroom. He runs toward a young girl, Kigeme, who is drawing water for her family, to ask where he can find a latrine. Without words, his question must be asked by gesturing, which Kigeme misinterprets as a prelude to rape. She screams for help, bringing the villagers out of their homes, and they all begin to chase Nyamuragi in order to bring him to justice.

Descriptions of the injustice and inhumanity Nyamuragi suffers at the hands of the townspeople are juxtaposed against references to the changes in the village brought about by Burundi’s civil war, which began in 1993 and lasted until 2005. “The green fruits that life intended to bring to maturity were carried off. Men were torn apart, ripped to pieces by machetes, pierced by bullets, eaten away by poisonous death, and violated by the unspeakable.” The repercussions of that war are still felt deeply by the characters in this book, changing forever their relationships with one another and their view of humanity’s place in the world. “Too many deaths have taken away the people’s beautiful, united soul.”

I searched the Internet to find out what “Baho,” the title of the book means. I found an article in which this question was posed to the author, and he explained that the title means “to live”:

“Baho! is an exclamation to a country consumed by death and violence: Live!”

At the end of the book, while the old, one-eyed woman is ruminating with her goats, this thought is articulated: Disturbances mark our entire life...the most important thing is to disturb life itself without letting it fall to pieces. An appropriate coda to a novel focused on a disturbance--itself based on a misunderstanding--a disturbance that is eventually disturbed, and life allowed to return to normalcy. Baho! reminded me a lot of the Ox-Box Incident which was basically a study on mob rule.At the end of the book, while the old, one-eyed woman is ruminating with her goats, this thought is articulated: Disturbances mark our entire life...the most important thing is to disturb life itself without letting it fall to pieces. An appropriate coda to a novel focused on a disturbance--itself based on a misunderstanding--a disturbance that is eventually disturbed, and life allowed to return to normalcy. Baho! reminded me a lot of the Ox-Box Incident which was basically a study on mob rule. Here, however, the mob is thwarted, and Nyamuragi was cleverly saved from a lynching by his uncle Jonathan who, counter-intuitively, worked the mob into such of a frenzy of propriety, the police arrived before they could administer their justice.

Two anecdotes stand out from the book: the old, one-eyed woman's tale about the beautiful girl and the prince, and Jonathan's recollection of the slow-cook execution of a military traitor.

Read this novel as part of my challenge to read a book from every country. I didn’t know what to expect from the small African country of Burundi, but I was amazed. Incredible book. The language is beautiful, the story is gripping and leaves you thinking. The translator does a spectacular job, and his note at the end shows what a deep and thoughtful book this is. On top of that, it’s a very short 1 or 2 day read, numbering only 90 pages. I recommend this book to anyone interested in African liteRead this novel as part of my challenge to read a book from every country. I didn’t know what to expect from the small African country of Burundi, but I was amazed. Incredible book. The language is beautiful, the story is gripping and leaves you thinking. The translator does a spectacular job, and his note at the end shows what a deep and thoughtful book this is. On top of that, it’s a very short 1 or 2 day read, numbering only 90 pages. I recommend this book to anyone interested in African literature. ...more

After being mistakenly accused of attempted rape, a mute boy is chased by a mob in a country suffering after war and plagued by hunger and a high rate of violence against women. I really enjoyed this story, which is told from several different perspectives and looks at the roles of education, communication, and mob justice, but I found the ending to be pretty confusing and hurried.

Readers also enjoyed

Born in 1986 in Burundi, Roland Rugero grew up in a family where reading was a favorite pastime. He has worked as a journalist in Burundi since 2008. His novels include Les Oniriques and Baho!, the first Burundian novel to be translated into English. Rugero has held residencies at La Rochelle and at Iowa's prestigious International Writing Program. In addition to his work as a writer, in 2011 he wBorn in 1986 in Burundi, Roland Rugero grew up in a family where reading was a favorite pastime. He has worked as a journalist in Burundi since 2008. His novels include Les Oniriques and Baho!, the first Burundian novel to be translated into English. Rugero has held residencies at La Rochelle and at Iowa's prestigious International Writing Program. In addition to his work as a writer, in 2011 he wrote and directed Les pieds et les mains, the second-ever feature-length film from Burundi. Rugero is active in promoting Burundi's literary culture, co-founding the Samandari Workshop and helping found the Michel Kayoza and Andika Prizes. Baho! will be published in English by Phoneme Media....more